AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 2019 1 AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 2019 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND THE PRESIDENT Dear Friends and Supporters of the Air Force Association, We are pleased to present the Air Force Association’s 2019 Annual Report, 2019 was another successful year for our association. Thanks to the support of our 96,000 members, sponsors, donors and volunteers across the globe, AFA was able to successfully execute our mission of promoting a dominant Air Force and a strong national defense. Consecutive years of strong financial performance have enabled us to grow our programs, enhance our professional development offerings, advocate for issues of key importance for the Air Force, and give more back to our Wounded Airmen who have given so much in support of our great Air Force. AFA’s 200 chapters continue to do remarkable grassroots work in communities around the globe. From aerospace education programs to fundraisers supporting Wounded Airmen, GERALD R. MURRAY our chapter volunteers, Aerospace Education and Field Councils have provided unparalleled Chairman of the Board leadership for our association. Through a series of professional development events coupled with a robust marketing plan, AFA’s membership grew this past year. We also focused our membership efforts on partnerships with industry and are pleased to share that we increased our corporate members by 27 percent in 2019. Not only have our two major events, the Air, Space & Cyber Conference and Air Warfare Symposium, seen growth in attendance, we’ve also sold out the exhibit floors for both shows and brought in crowd-pleasing keynote speakers such as Founder of the Virgin Group Sir Richard Branson, and Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban! AFA continues to be a non-partisan voice for the Department of the Air Force. AFA applauded the decision by Congress to create the Space Force in December 2019. AFA congratulates General Raymond and all the Airmen who will serve in the U.S. Space Force. AFA stands ready to educate, advocate, and support all the servicemembers of both the Air and Space Forces. AFA’s think tank, the Mitchell Institute, has been busier than ever, hosting over 70 events; publishing thought-leading reports; and shaping the defense debate in Washington, D.C. and beyond through engagement with Congress, industry, the media, and DoD leaders. Our STEM programs and initiatives continue to reach more students each year. Our CyberPatriot program broke registration records again this year. Both StellarXplorers and CyberPatriot offer their students the opportunity to gain experience and confidence in BRUCE “ORVILLE” WRIGHT problem solving, analytical skills, teamwork, and leadership, key attributes for tomorrow’s President work environments. Our Wounded Airman Program support for Airmen and their families is unparalleled. We hosted a successful hospitality tent for 1,000 wounded warriors and their families. AFA was proud to once again host the annual Wounded Airman Cycling Challenge with $26,000 raised to support wounded Airmen and their families. AFA’s flagship publication Air Force Magazine launched a revamped website and Daily Report, capping a year of tremendous growth driven by expanded news coverage and production. The site published almost 100 stories per month in 2019. Thank you for helping us carry out our vital mission and for being an Airman for Life! Sincerely, Gerald R. Murray Bruce “Orville” Wright AFA Chairman of the Board AFA President 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Accomplishments: • Provided Professional Development & Networking Forums • Advocated for a dominant Air Force and benefits for Airmen • Informed airpower advocates through AFA Publications • Supported Airmen, Family and Community Programs • Built the pipeline of future Air Force leaders through STEM activities 3 2019 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & NETWORKING CONFERENCES AND SYMPOSIA AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium (AWS) is a leading event for the aerospace and defense industry geared toward the professional development of Air Force officers, enlisted members, Guard, Reserve, civilians, retirees, and veterans. The Mark Cuban and Gen Stephen Wilson, Vice Chief of Staff, participate in a Fireside symposium harnesses the Air Force’s innovative spirit through Chat at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium sessions focused on innovation and exhibits that highlight the next generation of air, space, and cyber power. AFA’s 2019 Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition attracted approximately 3,500 total registrants, a remarkable 25 percent increase over last year. Mark Cuban, renowned entrepreneur, investor, and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, provided the keynote and participated as a Spark Tank Competition judge. Total revenue for this event between registrations, exhibits, sponsorships, and program ads exceeded budget projections by over 8 percent. Aerial view of the Backyard BBQ event at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium The Air, Space & Cyber Conference (ASC) is the nation’s premier event for defense and aerospace professionals around the world. ASC brings together Air Force senior leaders and experts from government, industry, and academia. From General David Goldfein addresses the crowd at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference engaging speakers and panels focused on airpower, space, and cyber developments to the technology exposition featuring the latest technology, equipment, and solutions for tomorrow’s problems, the conference has something for everyone. The 2019 Air, Space & Cyber Conference reached another record level, with just over 12,000 registrants. The exhibit hall reached full capacity again this year. Total revenue for this event including registrations, exhibits, sponsorships, and program ads also exceeded budget projections by almost 5 percent. This year our conference featured some special guests, the Keynote Address was given by Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group to include Virgin Galactic. The continued success of this Richard Branson and former AFA Chairman Whit Peters participate in a Fireside conference is a testament to the strong relationship between Chat at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference AFA, our Air Force leadership, and our industry supporters. 4 2019 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & NETWORKING AFA BREAKFAST SERIES The AFA Breakfast Series: Capitol Hill Edition addresses a variety of important topics such as the need to increase and train the necessary manpower to achieve the needed readiness to be an effective force; undertake the advanced research into the weapons and strategies of the future; and build our airlifters, tankers, bombers jets and surveillance and reconnaissance platforms to ensure that America is protected into the future. Now in its 10th year, the AFA Breakfast Series continues to bring together Air Force leadership, industry professionals, aerospace experts, congressional members and staffers, as well as media to discuss the most pressing issues affecting the U.S. Air Force. The breakfast series moved into its second year with sponsors and generated 12 percent revenue growth compared to the 2018 program. The Air Force must effectively tell its story to the U.S. Congress, to other armed services, to the professional public policy and industry community, as well as the media and the public at large. Key speakers in 2019 include: • Gen David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force • Gen James Holmes, Commander, Air Combat Command • Lt Gen Arnold Bunch, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition • Lt Gen L. Scott Rice, Director of the Air National Guard • Randall Walden, Director, AFRCO Above: General David Goldfein speaks at the AFA Breakfast Series in November 2019. Right: Lt Gen Arnold Bunch speaks at the AFA Breakfast Series in February 2019. AFA thanks the following sponsors of the breakfast series: Collins Aerospace, Elbit Systems of America, GE Aviation, General Dynamics, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, Next Era Energy, Oracle, Pratt & Whitney, PenFed Credit Union, The Roosevelt Group, and SAIC. 5 2019 INFORM L INS EL TIT CH U IT T E M MITCHELL INSTITUTE FOR AEROSPACE STUDIES f s o e r i INFORMING THE NATIONAL AEROSPACE DIALOGUE MITCHELL PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH Ae ud rospace St Policy proposals for emerging challenges Essential national security insight The Mitchell Institute’s fundamental objective is Mitchell’s scholarly research reports and papers aim to provide creative, insightful policy options to better to inform defense policy leaders and practitioners, empower our nation’s leaders. This often involves experts, government, and the private sector on national questioning established doctrine, organizational defense and aerospace power in the 21st century. constructs, and operational concepts, asking whether Mitchell seeks to champion authors whose work there is a better way to meet desired goals. For provides innovative, insightful, and effective ideas and Mitchell’s team this includes daily engagement with solutions which strengthen and enhance aerospace the media, congressional members, and staff to reach power’s vital role in our national defense and securing the wider aerospace community. We do this through America’s interests. Some of our authors include: a range of interactions from testimony to the Senate • Air Chief Marshal Michael Wigston, CBE Armed Services Committee to interviews and op-eds • Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.) in USA Today, the New York Times and other major • Lt Gen Jeff Harrigian, USAF media outlets. • Lt Gen VeraLinn “Dash” Jamieson, USAF (Ret.) • Maj Gen Lawrence Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.) LL INSTI HE TU C T IT E No. 28 M • Maj Gen Mark Barrett, USAF (Ret.) December 2019 s f ie • Maj Gen Roger Burg, USAF (Ret.) o d r A tu The Mitchell Forum erospace S • Brig Gen Alex Grynkewich, USAF L INS EL TIT CH U IT T E • Dr. William LaPlante, Ph.D M • Dr. James Vedda, Ph.D f s o e Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operations:r i Ae ud Lessons Learned and Implications for Futurerosp aWarfarece St • Lt Col Michael Martindale, USAF, Ph.D By Lt Col John D. Duray, USAF Vol. 21, December 2019 L INS Abstract EL TIT CH U IT T About the Forum The use of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in the U.S.